THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM THE VERMILION COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE
DANVILLE — It will be weeks until autopsy results are expected back in two recent water-related deaths in Vermilion County.
“Typically the autopsies do not come back for six to eight weeks, but we do not suspect any foul play in either case,” said Vermilion County Coroner Jane McFadden.
The body of Jose Alberto Lopez-Fernandez of Champaign, 23, was recovered from the Middle Fork River at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday by the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois Conservation Police, according to McFadden.
Lopez-Fernandez was last seen Sunday afternoon at Kickapoo State Park in the river. His family has been notified, and an autopsy has been scheduled, she reported.
An autopsy also is being conducted to determine the cause of death of a rural Danville man whose body was found in a pond west of Danville on Friday morning.
Vermilion County Chief Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Michael Hartshorn said the victim was identified as Wes Kelley, 33. Kelley had been reported missing earlier that week.
Sheriff’s police responded to a call of a deceased person in a pond west of Danville at 10:20 a.m. Friday.
Illinois State Police crime scene investigators assisted investigators from the sheriff’s department in processing the scene.
Hartshorn said divers from the sheriff’s department underwater search and recovery unit recovered Kelley’s body from the pond.
With summer weather here and to try to prevent tragedies, McFadden also shared nine tips she would caution swimmers/anyone on the water or in a water craft:
1. Learn to swim; if you cannot, see tip number 9 below.
2. Swim in a designated swimming area.
3. When in doubt, get out.
4. Know the weather and water conditions.
5. Never swim alone.
6. Choose the right equipment.
7. Understand currents, watch for drops offs and changes in water depths.
8. No alcohol or drugs.
9. Wear a United States Coast Guard-Approved Life Vest (as the law
dictates) when on any motor craft in the water (especially if you can’t
swim).
